The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) joined the 10th annual European Economic Forum hosted in Lodz, Poland, on October 16 and 17 (Lodz time). One of this year’s main topics was China's Belt and Road Initiative, and the prospects for Polish businesses participating in the biggest investment and commercial project of the 21st century.

As one of the speakers at the Forum, the Director of HKETO Berlin, Ms Betty Ho, introduced the Belt and Road Initiative as a development strategy aimed at boosting connectivity and co-operation between the Asian and European economies, as well as improving people's livelihoods in various aspects. "Poland's geographic location makes the country also one of the key economies in Europe along this modern Silk Road on the way to Asia," Ms Ho added.

She elaborated further on Poland's prominent role, pointing to the strategic connections already built between Poland and Mainland China such as the railway link between Lodz and Chengdu. "This has already set a solid foundation for Poland to play an important part in the Initiative. The high-level participation of Poland in Hong Kong’s Belt and Road Summit in September 2017 has fortified the partnership between Poland and Hong Kong under the Initiative," Ms Ho said.

The Director of HKETO Berlin further stressed Hong Kong’s importance as the economic gateway to China. She said, "Our city enjoys unique, dual advantages. We are part of China, but have our own economic, social and legal systems." In addition, Hong Kong has strong expertise in finance, risk assessment, legal and other professions, and at the same time, the city is a global open market that allows the free flow of capital, goods and information. "With the latest business-friendly proposals and proactive approach to promote development of innovation and technology laid down in the Chief Executive’s Policy Address, Polish enterprises have much to reap from Hong Kong," Ms Ho said.

During her trip to Poland, Ms Ho also took the opportunity to meet with the President of the European Association of Lawyers, Ms Maria Ślązak, and the Marshal of Lodz, Mr Witold Stępień, to brief them on Hong Kong’s role as Asia’s premier Belt and Road hub. Mr Stępień also joined Ms Ho to give a keynote speech at the European Economic Forum. Other speakers at the panel discussion included the Ambassador Titular of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Tadeusz Chomicki, and the Managing Partner (Europe) of VMIX Limited, Mr Grzegorz Marciniak.

About HKETO Berlin

HKETO Berlin is the official Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government representative in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Poland as well as Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.